Improvement in wool-washing machines



4'Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. H. KNOW-LES, J. H. PHocToRaz H.P.PENDLHT0N.1

Wool. WASHING MACHINE.

N0.187,643.` la @rammed Feb.zo',1a77..

a i I" y .4 4Sheets-Sheet 4. LH. KNOWLESJ. K. PROCTOR 'E'. P. PENDLETUN.

WOOL WASHING MACHINE.

Nojlam.

gPamenyed Feb. 20, 118-77.;

J. HENRY KNOwLES, JOSIAH K. PROcrOR, AND FRANK P. PENDLETON, OE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS To SAID PROc'rOR AND PENDLETON AND THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, LUOIAN BROWN, GEORGE BROWN, AND HORATIO R. LINOOLN, OE SAME PLAOE.

`nvtPtzovEiatn-r IN woot-wAsHlNG MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 187,643, dtld February 201 18775 applic/31H01) filed October 16, i876. i l

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that we, J. HENRY KNOWLES,

J osIAH K. PROo'rOR, and FRANK P. PENDLE- TON, of Philadelphia, in the county of' Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have in vented certain new and useful lmprovements in Wool-Washing Machines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others Skilled in the art'to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which- Figures 1, 2, and 4 are longitudinal vertical sections of a machine embodying our inventions. Fig. 3 is a plan ofthe same. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the same. Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10,11, and 12 are longitudinal vertical sections of different modifications.

The Vobjects of our inventions'are, first, to provide an improved mechanism lfor lifting or pushing the stock up out of the bowl Iand delivering the Same to the press-rolls; Second, to provide an inclined chute so constructed as to readily be lifted or swung` upward, so as to afford access to the bowl of machine for cleaning; third, to provide'an improved conduit back into the bowlfor the liquor squeezed out by the press-rolls; fourth, to provide a-n improved construction for supporting and adjusting the rake, crankshaft, and swivel, also an improvedl construction of' swivel; lif'th, to provide press-rolls having the top roll inclined or set back out of perpendicular with the bottom roll, for a certain useful end hereinafter fully set forth, t-he same heilig combined with an inclined or curved chute and a carrier or device for lifting Stock over the latterto said rolls.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A designates the bowl or tank,and B the chute or incline of a wool-washing machine. chute is composed of two sections, B' and C, hinged or pivoted together so as that the part B can be swung upwardly, as shown in Fig. et, the center of motion being at D. The part O is curved on the bottom, its sides sloping inwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, like any ordinary chute, and is immovably fixed to the sides of the bowlA. The part B has a Straight or fiat bottom, and is provided with the fixed teeth E E. Wejlhave shown three rows of teeth, but more or less rows may be used, if' desired. In these rowfs of teeth a tooth may be placed between every two teeth of the carrier, as shown in the bottom row, Figs. 3 and 5, orone may be used onlyilbetween every other two teeth of the carrier, as shown inthe upper two rows, Figs. 8 and 5. `@At F, FigxZ, the extreme upper end ofthe part B ot' chtite is bent or deliected downwardly. The object ot' this is to provide a short downward pitch, so that the material lifted up bythe carrier may not he thrown all at once upon the bito ot' the rolls, as then the material would be passed between the rolls in one mass, and, while the carrier would be moving over its return and the first portion of its upper stroke, no Stock would pass be tween the, rolls, and the latter would jump When thef chute is in the position shown in Fig. 4 free 'access maybe had to the upper part of the bowl, and under the press-rolls, thus a'ording convenient opportunities for cleaning the bottom I.v J is a rod or bar ex tending across the machine and fastened at either end, being used to support the upper end Ot the part B of the chute, and is so adjusted as to maintain the bottom of the part B alwayslin the same right line with the upper part of the bottom of the section C, and also to permit the edge of the incline F to come near to, but not quite touch, the roll G.` The junction of sections B and O is Shown at K, their adjacent edges being made thicker than the other `parts of the bottom, so as to Secure an even joining.

rI he object of the inclined arrangement ot' the press-rolls is to secure more extended receiving-surface on the bottom roll G, where the material is deposited,.than would be obtained if the shafts of Said rolls were in the same vertical line. It sometimes happens when thet'olls are arranged perpendicularly that in working very short staple or ber the friction istnot sufficient to raise the Stock up over the short pitch from L to M on the roll Gr, and the rolls become clogged up, thus causing damage to the machinery, or render'-v ing it necessary to stop the machine and remove the gathered mass by hand. But with the rolls arranged on an incline, as in Fig. 2, the pitch from L to M is so slight as not to prevent the stock from being carried forward to the bite` of the rolls. It' so desired, the rolls may be still more inclined, as shown in Fig. (i, when, as may be seen, the pitch from L to M is toward instead ot from the bite of the rolls, thus making' the gravity of thev mass assist in feeding toward the bite of the rolls. In case the rolls are inclined as much as shown in Fig. 6, we use an apron, N, to convey the stock away instead of the ordinary beater-cylinder. O, in Figs. l, 2, and 3, represents a portion of the false bottoms of the bowl A. At P, Figs. 1,2, and 3, is shown a guide extending from the bottom I of the bowl upward above the water-level represented by the dotted line Q. This guide comes to a point in. the middle of the bowl and near the press-rolls, as at It, daring therefrom toward each side of the bowl A, the ends of the two branches impinging against the upper end of the sides of the part C of the chute. The rear parts of these branches are cut away on an incline, so as to fit up under the part B of the chute, as may be seen in Figs. l and 2. S represents a false bottom, foraminated, if desired, and fitted from the point of commencement of the curve in the bottom I to the sides of the part C, and from the sides of the bowl A to the lower edge ofthe rail P. A portion of the sides of the part v(l is cut away, as shown at T. Figs. 2 and 5, so as to allow the passage of the liquor from the press-rolls back into the bowl. With the described construction, the liquor pressed out of the fiber by the pressrolls falls upon the bottom I of the bowl and would iiow directly back into the cavity'of the bowl under the chute, were it not for the guide P, which causes it to diverge at the point R, a portion flowing along either branch of the guide, over the perforated bottoms S, and through the openings T into the body of the bowl. The objection to having the liquor flow from the rolls directly into the bowl under the chute is as follows: The liquor that falls from theV rolls is always sure to carry with it certain particles of ber which fail to pass through the rolls. If the liquor passed directly under the chute these fibers would be carried along and inally lost by being washed out through the drain-pipe. But with the construction describedy all these particles of ber .are washed back into the bowl through the openings T, and mixing with the approaching material are again brought up to the press-rolls. By makingthe bottom S perforated, some of the heavy dirt with which the liquor from the press-rolls is always saturated will be permitted to drop through to where it is nallywashed out of the bowl during the cleaningl process, while at the same time, if wire gauze be used for said bottom, none of the liber will pass through.

The guide P is brought to a point at R, so as to present a sloping side (see Fig. 3) toward the sides ofthe bowl. This construction renders it easy for an operator to insert a hand orinstrument under the chute and draw,

along toward the openings T any ber that" may have accumulated on the bottoms I or S, and not previously been carried toward the openings because of the sluggishness of the iow from the press-rolls.

Instead of having two branches to the guide P, meeting at R, a'guide may be used formed by one rail only, as at U1, extending from one side of the bowl A, near the press-rolls, across to and abutting against the side of the part C of the chute, as described inthe case of the guide P.

The single rail U1 may start from either side of the machine; but, for convenience, we prefer starting it from the same side as that ou which the driving power is applied, and on the side where the rake-shaft stands are supported, as shown in Fig. 3. This arrangement presents the open side of the rail toward the side of the machine where the operator usu- Vally stands, and is more convenient for cleaning.

In case a single rail,U1, is used, one side only of the part C of the chute will be cut away, while the other side, or the side next to the side of the bowl A from which the rail U1 starts. is'left the full height, as shown by the a is the rake-head to which the tines are afl fixed. One rake-head and one row of tines may be used, as in Fig. 1, or two rake-heads and two rows of tines may be used, as in Fig. 9.

The rakeswivel consists of a sleeve', b, through which passes the rake-lever Z. (Seen in section in Fig. 1.) C is the bearing for the swivel, fastened to the support d. Attached to the sleeve b is an arm, b2, which passes through the bearing C', as may be seen in the dotted lines` in Fig. 3, being cast with or forged onto said sleeve b. This arm is prevented from lateral movement by the shoulder next to the sleeve b on one side, and by the screw e, Figs. 3 and 5, or its equivalent, on the other side, while said sleeve b and its attached arm turn freely Iaround in the bearing C.

The upper surface ofthe support d is made in the arc of a circle having its center' in the center of the shaft X, to allow the bearing C to be set over to the right or to the left without increasing the distance from the center of the swivel b to the center of the shaft X, thus maintaining the sweep of the points of the tines 8U of exactly the same length wherever the center of the swivel b may happen to beplpced on the surface of the support d. The object of right and left adjustment in the swivel b is to vary the position and not the length of the stroke of the points ofthe tines ofthe rake.

The support d is connected with the tablef by the standard g. (Seen most clearly in Figs. 2 and 5.) The table fis attached to the widespreading legs or supports h, Figs. l and 5, which, in the drawing, form a part ofthe sides of the bowl A, but which, in practice, would be detached from the bowl sides on a line with the top of the bowl, as shown by they dotted lines in Fig. ,1, the support d, standard g, table f, and legs `L being all cast in one piece. Fixed to either end ofthe table f are suitable bearings for the shaft X. (See Figs. 3 and 5.) 1

Attached to the rake-head a are two arms, k, Figs. 1 and 3, projecting outwardly from the head toward the carrier M', composed of the side bai-s l, cross-bars m, ears it, teeth o, levers p, cross-har or shaft r', and rolls or slidesrs. L L are two longitudinal hars extending lengthwise ofthe carrier, and to whichthe crossbars m and levers p are attached, said bars being right-angled in cross-section, having one lip` of the angle projecting downwardly,and the other lip extending horizontally across the carrier. Another shape ot' this bar is represented in Fig. 1l. It necessary, to secure strength, more of these longitudinal bars uiay be employed-as, for instance, three-one on each side and oneiu the middle. 'l'o the side bars l lare attached the cross-bars m. There will be as many ofthe bars m as there are rows of teeth in the carrier. The teeth o are riveted or otherwise securely fastened'into the bars m, and `may be round or oval .or of any other desirable section 5 and may be either` pointed or .blunt on their ends. Said teeth ma y also be either straight or curved in outline, and may have parallel sides` as in Fig.` 1, or beveled sides, as in Fig. 9. In some A cases the row of teeth that comes next to the press-rolls will be curved, while the remaining teeth in the carrier are straight, as in Fig. 6. The reason of curving the t'orward row of teeth is that their points, being in advance of the bar which suppoits them, will force the fiber `,farther forward toward the bite of the roller, the bar m being necessarily kept at a distance bythe'bulge of the roll H. Espe ciallyis this thecase where press-rolls are used having the rolls arranged pcrpendicularly. To the rear bar m, Fig. 3, ai'e attached two ears', a. These ears are hinged or pivoted to the arms la in such manner that when the stirrer-rake moves, the ears n, and consequently the whole. rear end of the carrier, is made to travel with said rake. In the drawings, two of these ears are represented, but only one ear,

or more than two ears, may be used. The levers p are firmly fastened to the side of the bars l, and extend upwardly and over the press-rolliH, being there attached to a crossbar, r. The bar r may be a rigid bar, asin the drawings; but in practice we prefer to use a shaft, prdvided with suitable bearings, in the ends of the levers p. 0n either end of the 'bar r' areftt'asfened slides s, which move over the tracktjor way U. Instead of the slidess a friction-roller may be used, ruiming on the end of the shalft or bar 1'. Nearly over the. pressroll H is fixed the stationary way or track U, provided with raised sides .r to keep'the rolls or slides always upon it. The outline of the track w may be either a straight, a convex, a concave, dr a combination of a straight with a convex or a concave, or of a convex with a concave line, just as may be found most desirable in jorder to give any desired movement to the points ot' the teeth o.

The operation of the carrier is as follows The crank Y, revolving in the direction of the arrowt gives motion to the stirrer-ralte Z, and consequently to the arm lc. The point in the arm k,l where it is pivoted to the ears ln, moves in the track represented by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. `Motion being communicated to the carrier through the ears n connected with the arms 7c, the .rear end only ofthe carrier is lifted, while its forward end remains down byglitsl own gravity and through the connectioii with the ears a is pushed forward and dragged back over any points prepared for its support, which in this case are the tracks U. lg Now. it is obvious that while the rear end off the carrier is lifted up in its rev turn-stroke, its extreme forward end at the point s will not be lifted at all, but will slide t'orward arid back in the same plane or line, while every point in the carrier intermediate between the ears a and the point s will beA lifted somie, the,l highest lift being near the ears n, .whtle the degree of lift will be less and less as theipoint sis approached, until at s the lift is'nothing.` When the material is deliv ered toi-ward by the stirrer rake at the point D, Fig. l, it is still some inches under water,

and just the bottom of the chute.

While tlieuiateria'l is submerged at the point D it occupies alargespace, being tloated by the watergiaud, in order that the teeth of the carrier may lit't over and comedown behind the mass, it is necessary to give considerable rise to the 'ear teeth o of the carrier, but as the materi" l is lifted out ofthe water it gradually drainsfi and so occupies less heighit on the chute, until when it arrives near the point F at the top'of the chute, comparatively little rise is reqiired :in the teeth o to enable them to lift overtthe.` material on the chute. Now, as previouslydescribed, the forward teeth of the cari-ieri do notlil't so high as the rear teeth. The point L" of the' carrier is extended so far forward ot'tthe tee/tho as to give the fronti-ow of teeth just sufficient rise to lift over the niateriat on tlie top of the chute.` The rear row 4 reacts of teeth have as much or nearly as much lift as do the teeth of the stirrer-rake.

When the parts are proportioned, as in Fig. l, the rear row of' teeth have two and threequarters as milch lift as the front row of teeth.

In Fig. l the rows of' teeth are arranged so that the spaces between them shall diminish gradually toward the forward end. We arrange the rows in this way because the rear rows of teeth do not require to come so far back in order to engage the ber as do the forward rows, for the reason that the fiber on the rear end ofthe chute, being Very wet, lies high up from the chute, and is readily caught by the teeth o', but on the upper part of the chute, the fiber being closer to the chute, and being spread out by the action of the previous teethof the carrier, the forward rows of teeth have to come farther back over the material delivered by the previous rows in order to carry up the same quantity as .is brought up by the rear rows.

In Fig. l the tracks followed by each row of teeth is shown by thedotted lines, while the direction of motion is indicated by the arrows.

As may be seen, the track followed by the rear row of teeth ois elliptical in outline, somewhat like the track followed by the teeth of the stirrer-rake.

Owing to the action previously described, the tracks followed by each row become less and less in height, counting toward the. forward row, while the length of' the tracks remains the saine for each row. If' the outline of the track or guide U were a straightv line, as in Fig. 11, the outline followed by the forward row ofteeth would be elliptical, like that followed by the rear row of teeth, and the teeth of said front row would lift up from the chute before they arrived quite at the end of it. rlhe straight part fw of the track U is a line parallel with the bottom ofthe part B of the chute. rlhe point when theteeth commence to lift from the bottom'of the chute is when the teeth ofI the carrier occupy a position just one-half the 'distance between the extremities of the stroke, or nearly in the position represented by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. If when the carrier is in the position last described the-stirrer-rake be still further rotated, while at the same time the points of the forward row of' teeth be made 'to follow the line indicated by the dotted linejust above the letter F in Fig. 1, the edge of the slide or rolls will describe the irregular curve fu, Fig.

2. We therefore conform the guide ato the curve e, whereby we secure to the points of the forward rows of teeth a motion exactly parallel with the bottom of the chute, and

as for instance, in Fig. 6. As may be seen in,

Fig. 1, the outlines of all the tracks ofthe teeth are influenced by the curve c. rlhus the front row of teeth dip slightly downward as they approach the press-rolls, and the second row move exactly parallel with the bottom of the chute.

While the material is still heavy with the liquor in the bowl it is not required tov have so straight a motion to the points of the teeth as is required after the stock is pushed farther up out of the liquor. I-lence the various tracks followed by each of the rows of' teeth is peculiarly favorable for lifting the stock in its successive stages of draining as it comes under each row. rlhe center of' the sleeve b is placed perpendieularly over the center of the shaft X, in order to cause the fines of the stirrer-rake to describe an ellipse whose longest diameter shall be parallel with the bottoni of the bowl, but the ellipse described by the center of the pivot in the, ears n should have its longest diameter parallel with the bottom of the inclined chute. This `may be accomplished either by carrying the center of the swivel b farther to the left, and attaching the ears 'it directly to the end of stirrer rake in aline with its center, as in Figs. 8, 9, and 12; or the same end may be accomplished by the extended arms k, Fig. 1, in which case the length of the arm is determined by drawing a line perpendicular to the chiite-bottoni through the center of the swivel b, while at the same time the crank Y hangs perliendicularly downward. When the stock is passing over the bottoni of' the chute it is held from slipping back by the fixed teeth E. The stock is carried u-p in a Inass by thev row of teeth o', and pushed over the first row of' stationary teeth, where it remains until the row ot' teeth o comes behind the mass and pushes it forward over the second row of stationary teeth; but the row o does not take up all of the mass delivered bythe row o, for the points of the teeth ofthe rows o'l do not quite reach 'the limit of' their downward passage when they come over the first row of stationary teeth. Consequently the teeth o catch the top part only of' the mass brought up by the row 0', and when the row o has finished its work it does not leave the mass in one'pile, as was the case in the row o', but spreads it out over the space between the first and second rows of stationary teeth with the ends of the fibers hung over the second row of stationary teeth. Y the row of teeth 0', between the second and third rows of stationary teeth, it follows that by the time the mass has reached the upper part of the chute it has become very evenly spread out over the chute. In the case ofthe row ofl teeth 0, they come so close to the chute that they rake all of the mass deposited by the row 0'", and push it over the pitch of the chute F, where it passes through the press- This action being repeated by y from the center b4.

deliver any given mass from the bowl to the press-rolls.

In Fig. 6 we have represented'a modilication of my carrier, where the roller s is made to move on the raised edge of the side of the chute forward ot' instead of over the press-roll H. In this case the forward row ot' teeth in the carrier must be placed nearly under the center of the roll s, in which case the points of the frontrow ot' teeth in the carrier have no or very little rise in their backward movement. In this case we may lnake use ot' swinging teeth oA and 0, Fig. 6.

Swinging teeth might be used on the rear as well as on the forward rows, but are not necessary on the former.

In Fig. 7 we have represented a modifica tion, where the points ofthe carrier is supported by an arm, t, swinging' freely on the center b". The track of the point s is shown by dotted lines s s', and is the arc of a circle struck Two arms, t, should be employed, one on each side ofthe carrier. In this ligure we have reinesented the rear end of the carrier as being pivoted to the very end of the rakelever Z, and no stirrer-rake is used, -the row of teeth 0 of the carrier performing the duty of the stirrer.

In Fig. S we have represented a modification ot' the carrier, where the point s swings on an arm, t1, but the arm t1 in this case has its center of motion at y. a point to the right of the point b4, as in Fig. 7. The point s of the arm vibrates over the track represented by the dotted line s and s,`which is an arc of a circle, having its center at the point y. In this case also, two arms, t1, would be employed, as in Fig. 7. In'Fig. S we have employed a stirrer-rake attached to the rake-lever Z, the carrier having only two teeth. In this case we have made the chute of double concave outline on the bottom, as shown. In Fig. 9` we have represented a modification, where the point s is supported by the vibrating arm t2, having its center at H', and swinging to s',

To move the car' as shown in dotted lines. rier in this case we form an ear, b2, on the swivel b, said ear carrying a pin on which swings the rod Z. c is a sleeve-pin attached to the pin of the crank, and through which the rod Z passes. A short rod, Z", is also attached to the crank-pin. d isa double sleeve, one side being tirmly fastened to the rod Z by the set-screw, while the rod Z slides freely through the other side ofthe sleeve. The operation ot' this mechanism gives to the ears a a motion exactly like what would have been obtained by theuse of a lever, as in Fig. 7. The two cranks Y and Y are so connected-bysuitable gearing as to revolve inV perfect unison. In this iigure we have shown the carrier constructed of bars, arranged longitudinally and attached to the horizontal rods a and s. Instead of lixed teeth on the bottom of the chute a lever, e', having attached teeth operated by the cam f', niay be employed; and draw-rolls` a' a al a.`arranged so that a line drawn across their top surfaces will have a consider able incline toward the roll G, may be substituted for the bend F, shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. l() is shown a cam, g', designed to lift the rear end fof the carrier while the reciprol eating motion is communicated by the crank and pin h', the roll s running on the straight guide U2. Instead of using the crank h to give the reciprocating motion to the carrier, we Vmay employ an arm, t3, represented by dotted lines,iconnecting the rod on which is placed the roll s to a pin attached to the side of the rakeleyer Z, or t-o the pin of the crank Y. In eithencase the cranks Y and h or cam g must be so@ geared together as to revolve in exact unisonn Fig. 1l represents a modification of thecarrier where the; roll s runs on the straight guide a3. The pian?, attach ed to the side of the rakelever Z, coming in contact with the bar l? at the upper end of the slot p1, lifts the carrier during its back stroke until the stops k2, attached to thejibars Z2, come in contact with the edge of the side of the chute B.. The further downward motion of the carrier being pre vented, said pin a slides down in the slot p1, but at the same time carries the carrier forward, causing the stop 7a2 to slide along on the edge of the chiite, which is made parallel with the bottom B. This arrangement gives a straight motion on the bottom to the points of all ofthe teeth in the carrier.

In Fig. 12 we have represented a modifieation where theJ rear end of the carrier is lifted up by a lever,\1l, crank 2, swivel 3, and collars 4 and 5. In this case the roll siruns on a straight guide, a3, and the points of the teeth have a straight motion, as in Fig. ll.

We do not claim to be the inventors, broadly, of a chuteihaving an incline at its upper end to conduct the stock to the 4rolls-specially waivinggall claim to this feature in lview ot' the fact that the same is the subject of a claim in an application now pending and in interference with apatent already granted.

I. In a wool-washing machine, an inclined chute constructed in two parts, B and C, pivoted at the point D, between the fork-bearing and squeeze rolls, so as to swing freely upward, for the purpose described.

2. In a woolwashing machine, the rolls G and H, arranged on an incline, in combination with an inclined or curved chute and a carrier or device for lifting stock over the latter to said rolls, substantially as and for the purpose described;

3. The combination ofthe inclinedchute B with the guide P or U1, bottoms I S, rolls G and H, and openings T, for the purpose described. i

4. The standard g and curved support d, in combination with'the bearing C', for the purpose described,

5. The table f, legs h, standard g, and support d, cast in one piece, in combination with the bowl A, substantially as described.

6. rBhe arms lc, in combination with the rakehead a, the lever-rod Z, ears n, and carrier m', substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. In a wool-washing machine, a rigid carrier or carrier formed in one piece, combined with mechanism which moves one of' its ends forward and backward in the same line, and raises its other end on the return-stroke, subtantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a wool-washing machine, the combination of the following elements: a rigid carrier combined with mechanism for raising the rear end on its return stroke, while its forward end moves to and fro in the same line, a stirrer rake or fork, inclined chute, and squeezing-rollers, substantially as and for the purpose described.

l0. In combination, with the reciprocating carrier of' a wool-washing machine, having tbrwardly-projectin g arms p, united by a crossba-r, r, the slides or rolls s, substantially as shown and described.

1l. The combination of the levers p with the slides or rolls s, the side bars Z, and cross barsm, substantially as and for the purpose described.

l2. The combination ofthe bars Z and m, levers p, rod i", slides or rollers s, and ears n, forming the carrier-frame, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

13. The combination of the bars l, bars m, and slides or rolls s with the swingteeth 0" and 0", for the purpose described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our hands this 13th day of' October, 1876.V

J. HENRY KNOVVLES. JOSIAH K. PROCTOR. FRANK P. PENDLETON.

Witnesses:

M. DANL. GoNNoLLY, UHAs. F. VAN HORN. 

